Sir David Attenborough passes natural history crown to Brian Cox

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/jan/30/david-attenborough-brian-cox


Professor Brian Cox said: 'I’m sure he’s got many more series he’s going to make. But it’s an honour.' Photograph: BBC

Sir David Attenborough has anointed the BBC's favourite particle physicist, Professor Brian Cox, as his approved successor to take over fronting the corporation's landmark natural history documentaries.

Attenborough, who has just celebrated 60 years in broadcasting, offered a glimpse into his vision of the future after Cox paid tribute to him at an event hosted by the Radio Times on Tuesday night, said: "If I had a torch I would hand it to Brian Cox."

Cox, the former pop star who has become a household name on the back of his BBC2 series Wonders of the Solar System and Wonders of the Universe, said Attenborough had "genuinely made a difference to the world in which we live".

Speaking afterwards, Cox told the listings magazine he had not expected Attenborough's comment. "Obviously I couldn't have expected that. David is not ready to pass on the torch yet, that's the first thing to say," said Cox.